Sébastien Jan1,2
1Nosy Boraha Seaweed, Ilot Madame – BP 04 – Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, 2Ocean Farmers, Avenue de France – BP 212 – Mahavaste II, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Over the recent years, interest for seaweed significantly grew up. On the other hand, market for cultivated red seaweed has been in a turmoil. In the major producing countries, despite historical high prices, structural issues prevented strong recovery of supply keeping market tightness and slowing down potential development seaweed can offer.
For the seaweed revolution to occur, sustainable production is a key component and consistent supply should be there.
This is not today’s reality! Indeed, for cultivated red seaweed, such as Kappaphycus sp. or Eucheuma denticulatum, current practices and fragmented supply chain are not supporting the conditions to sustain and expand production. Rather, it creates significant pressure on smallholder’s farmers shoulders, forced to adopt an opportunistic approach to limit their risks.
A clear shift is necessary to turn around current supply chain, sustain and grow production and accelerate the development of new markets thanks to seaweed great potential.
We are implementing, in Madagascar, an aquaculture model where risk management, modern thinking and social dimension drive our decisions and the way we shape the activity.
The result of this approach is a disruptive model combining craftmanship, improved or novel cultivation techniques, technology, research, multiple collaborations, and proximity with coastal communities we are working with. We believe this model is fair and will handle better future turbulences. We also think it is an attractive option for all and could serve as a reference for future developments and deserves to be shared to contribute to the seaweed revolution.